It was somewhere in the 90’s that I visited the GangStarr show in Hedon Zwolle. I don’t think I have ever seen a better Hip-Hop show in my life. I still listen to your music and the sad news of your passing has only reached my now, but the hearing your voice always brings me back to that moment that you and Premier shared your greatness with the world in that little venue in the Netherlands. Thankful and with deep respect of your work I send you (and you family )this thought. R.I.P. True Hip-Hop hero.

I always wondered if you were a distant cousin. You looked like family,and there aren’t many Black Elam’s in this country, so I sort of claimed you as my cousin! Sorry we never got the chance to meet,but i”n sure we would have gotten along very well! Peace and love to your family, especially little Keith. We all miss you so very much! Your wisdom and sensibility over Premier’s tracks were hip- hop gold! My husband still reveres your work to this day, as you are a strong influence on his work as an emcee. Hope to see you on the other side, cuzzo! With much love and respect,

The music you gave us made sense. You are one of the few people that ryhmed with reason. Your lyrics were considerate. Gangstarr albums are a class of its own. We will miss you. Your music will always remind us of what quality hiphop is.

R.I.P. Keith Elam / Guru
HipHop isn’t the same without you! I look(ed) up to you…..
I was 16 or 17 not sure anymore but got to go last minute to a festival together with Paul van Kessel. Gangstarr didn’t show up on time because of some airport hassle. At night after the shows, people left. We waited for some friends to go home…untill I read on a small digital sign that Gang Starr would perform at 3 A.M. We ran to the venue but it was totally empty. It was small and then a bunch of people arrived, just like us not sure if you guys would really show up.

But you did, you showed up and gave the best performance ever in front of probably a hundred people, the leftovers from the festival. And then you gave our whole group of friends backstage passes. We did some breakdancing, beatboxing, spitted some rhymes and punchlines. I couldn’t believe I could meet you together with DJ Premier and Freddie Foxxx aka Bumpy Knuckles etc. You guys were so down to earth.

And then I got your XXL t-shirt which I made smaller to XS so I could wear it myself (I still have it and the one I got from Freddie as well). Thank you so much for that awesome memory, for keeping it real and ofcourse your music which I still listen to.
I’ll never forget that “moment of truth”!